Congress Members Forced to Pick-Up, Reuse Gym Towels

The House of Representatives’ gym has remained open during the government shutdown, but the employees who run the gym are out on furlough. “No one is there to check members into the facility in the basement of the Rayburn House Office Building…”

Because the staff is gone, “members don’t only have to pick up their towels — they have to reuse them for their showers, because there is no more laundering service.” Some lawmakers live in their offices and use the gym to shower and get ready for work. Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) told the Hill:

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“You have to save your towel, you have to reuse it because we let the staff go — I know the showers are still working, and it doesn’t take any maintenance to maintain the weights.”

The Senate is in the same situation. Sen. Lyndsey Graham (R-SC) described the Senator’s gym as becoming “rank.”